Swisslab EWI Transforms Liscard House

Posted by david.luukas

Jan23

Alumasc’s Swisslab External Wall Insulation (EWI) system has been used to transform the aesthetics and thermal performance of Liscard House in Wallasey. The refurbishment formed part of a £32m investment programme by Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH) to transform eight high rise blocks into modern apartment buildings.

Alumasc’s Swisslab External Wall Insulation (EWI) system has been used to transform the aesthetics and thermal performance of Liscard House in Wallasey. The refurbishment formed part of a £32m investment programme by Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH) to transform eight high rise blocks into modern apartment buildings.

Approved Alumasc Installers MIB Group installed 3000m2 of Swisslab, using 60mm phenolic insulation, which was specified by Paddock Johnson Partnership to meet the project’s thermal requirements and to create a new external façade.

The system was finished with Silkolitt 1.5mm silicone render and a Traditional Brick Slip system also from Alumasc. The render design included long thin runs of detailing shaded from dark to light, with very difficult beads/reveals requiring high levels of skill and experience from the installers.

Alumasc would like to thank MIB Group and Paddock Johnson Partnership for their attention to detail, efficiency and quality of work.

Alumasc and MIB recognised that the dark render on the top floors would absorb the heat with potential adverse effects to the surface. To address this problem, MIB installed a Near Infrared Reflective (NIR) paint that would reduce the heat absorption of the darkest colours. The render top coat was over-painted with the NIR paint, ensuring the Swisslab system maintained performance whilst achieving desired aesthetics.

The ground floor needed a very robust finish which remained in keeping with the traditional design of the building. The Traditional Brick slip System was used to replicate the existing Staffordshire blue brick substrate whilst providing a weather resistant, thermally improved and robust façade.

Swisslab is an insulated render system that provides outstanding energy efficiency. Insulation materials are mechanically fixed direct to a continuous substrate and faced with a choice of traditional and lightweight renders. As a result of the EWI installation, the U-value of Liscard House is now 0.25w/m2K, and the external appearance and interiors of the blocks have been completely transformed.

Rob Sharrock of MIB Facades comments; “We worked closely with Alumasc at every stage of the project and they provided invaluable technical advice and support to ensure we achieved a successful result.”